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Symphony of the Seas is a larger version of Royal Caribbean's 22-month-old Harmony of the Seas, the previous size leader in the cruise world. It surpasses Harmony in size by more than 1,000 tons. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Like Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas features a massive water slide complex on its top deck called Perfect Storm. Royal Caribbean just began adding water slides to its ships in 2016. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The outdoor decks of Symphony of the Seas also include the Sports Court, a fun zone that includes a miniature golf course, zip line, basketball court and two FlowRider surfing simulators. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Adirondack-style chairs painted blue and orange offer passengers a place to lounge between rounds of miniature golf at the Sports Court area. The miniature golf course is called Symphony Dunes. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Like sister ship Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas is home to a nine-deck-high slide called Ultimate Abyss. Passengers enter the attraction through the giant jaws of an angler fish. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

In a nod to longstanding Royal Caribbean tradition, the Royal Promenade on Symphony of the Seas features a car on display. But in a twist on that tradition, the "car" is actually a sculpture. Called Beetle Sphere, it's by artist Ichwan Noor and was made using original parts from a 1953 Volkswagon Beetle. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Just outside Boleros along Symphony of the Seas' Royal Promenade is a massive, 18-foot-high metallic sculpture by artist Gregor Kregar. Called Paradox Void, it was created by 1,200 laser-cut mirrored stainless steel triangles and 200 sections of LED lights, and it weighs three tons. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Another shopping venue along Symphony of the Seas' Royal Promenade is The Shop, which sells Symphony of the Seas-branded items. It takes the place of the Kate Spade shop that is located in the same location on sister ship Harmony of the Seas. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Among the most notable features on Symphony of the Seas is Central Park, a tree-lined area of specialty restaurants, bars and high-end shops that runs down the center of the ship. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Izumi is an extra-charge restaurant on Symphony of the Seas. Signature sushi rolls (five to eight pieces) range in price from $13 to $17. Five pieces of sashimi is $10 for most types of fish. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Capable of carrying up to 6,680 passengers, Symphony of the Seas is not only the biggest cruise ship at sea but the fattest, with a width of 215.5 feet. Its water slides soar high above the ship's pool decks and tree-lined atrium. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

ABOARD SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS — The new world's biggest cruise ship won't be the biggest for long.

Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Michael Bayley on Wednesday said a new Royal Caribbean vessel coming in 2021 would be even bigger than new giant Symphony of the Seas.

Responding to a question from USA TODAY at a media event on board Symphony, Bayley said the as-yet-unnamed fifth ship in Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Oasis Class of vessels would be at least a tad bigger than the 228,081-ton Symphony. Symphony is the fourth vessel in the Oasis Class.

"It's going to have to be a little bigger," Bayley said, though he hinted the size difference won't be Earth-shattering.

"Like an inch, three inches here; an extra few tons there," he said.

"We have gotten caught a little bit in our own loop, and so every time we introduce a new Oasis Class (ship), we always try to make it a little bit bigger so that it is the world's biggest cruise ship," Bayley added.

Boasting more cabins than any other vessel afloat and with room for up to 6,680 passengers, Symphony is a slightly larger version of the third ship in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, the 22-month-old Harmony of the Seas. Harmony, in turn, was a bit bigger than the first two Oasis Class vessels, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

Located on Deck 17 overlooking the back of Symphony of the Seas, the Royal Loft Suite is two decks high and features two bedrooms, a large living room with soaring ceiling and a dining area. Gene Sloan

Located at the back of Symphony of the Seas on Deck 17, the Ultimate Family Suite is one of the biggest suites on the ship and features a smorgasbord of family-friendly amenities. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Designed for vacationers who love big, bustling mega-resorts, the Oasis Class vessels have made waves in the cruise industry since they began debuting in 2009. All of the Oasis Class ships currently at sea are in excess of 225,000 tons — more than 30% larger than the next largest cruise vessels.

Bayley noted Royal Caribbean never set out to build the biggest cruise ships in the world. But the line's focus on building vessels with an ever-growing array of attractions and activities for vacationers inevitably resulted in ever-bigger ships, he said.

"I know it sounds a little disingenuous, but we say size doesn't matter," Bayley said. "When we design these ships, we design for maximum fun and entertainment and vacation experience, and we (then) end up with big ships."

Symphony eclipses sister Harmony by more than 1,000 tons and offers several new features including a revamped Boardwalk amusement area, a new laser tag attraction and a new-for-Royal Caribbean seafood restaurant. The ship also has a first-of-its-kind, two-deck-high family suite with a slide between floors.

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Symphony of the Seas is the fourth vessel in Royal Caribbean's groundbreaking Oasis Class series, which began debuting in 2009. Slightly bigger than the three other ships in the class, it features several new-for-the-line features including a two-deck-high 'ultimate family suite.' Royal Caribbean International

Located at the back of Symphony of the Seas on Deck 17, the Ultimate Family Suite is one of the biggest suites on the ship and features a smorgasbord of family-friendly amenities. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Symphony has been under construction since early 2015 at the giant STX France shipyard in St. Nazaire, France — the same shipyard that built Harmony. Delivered to Royal Caribbean on Friday, it's currently is on its way to Barcelona, where its first voyage with passengers is scheduled for Saturday.

Symphony will spend its first few months sailing in the Mediterranean out of Barcelona before moving to Miami to operate cruises to the Caribbean.

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Royal Caribbean's new Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, features a Boardwalk amusement area that is different from the Boardwalk areas found on previous vessels in the same class of ships. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Large screens that will show live sporting events line the walls at Playmakers. Royal Caribbean has invested heavily into securing feeds for live sporting events at the venue, which is relatively unusual in the cruise industry. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Ultimate Abyss descends from Deck 16 of Symphony of the Seas to the Boardwalk, which is located on Deck 6. As there is no Deck 13 on Symphony of the Seas, the distance is nine floors. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY